2009

The Winner:

This year’s prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize goes to the Finnish musician and star clarinetist Kari Kriikku.

Kari Kriikku enjoys major international recognition and is known as a brilliant exponent and ambassador of modern music.

The prize committee write in their justification:

”Kari Kriikku is an extraordinary virtuoso on his instrument the clarinet. His performance is characterised by flexibility and a positive musician’s joy – he is a musician in the best sense of the word. In his genre he is a pioneering innovator of the solo concert form which has led to partnerships with most of the important contemporary composers, whose works he has then performed for the first time. As a chamber musician he has also explored other contemporary music forms apart from classical music".

Kari Kriikku has recorded a considerable number of CDs which span a wide range from C.M. von Weber to Kimmo Hakola and Magnus Lindberg also digressing in the direction of popular music. His stage talent further strengthens the picture of a striking and mature artist.

The Nominées:

Denmark

Thunderstrucks

Alpha

Finland

Pekka Kuusisto & The Luomu Players

Kari Kriikku

Faroe Islands

Orka

Iceland

Voces Thules

Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson

Norway

Arve Henriksen

Paal Nilssen-Love

Sweden

Ale Möller Band

Loney Dear

Åland

Ulvens Döttrar

Nordic Council Music Prize
Sunnuva Bæk
The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands
Norðari Ringvegur
P.O.Box 1260
FO-110 Torshavn
The Faroe Islands